1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Contraceptive is used as a form of emergency contraception (more commonly known as a morning after pill). Contraceptive is formulated to function in a manner similar to the female hormone progesterone, allowing for prevention of pregnancy if taken within a reasonable period of time. Generally, it is recommended that contraceptive be taken no later than three days after having unprotected sex. However, it has proven to be more effective in cases where the treatment was started closer to the time of the sexual encounter. Emergency contraception (EC) can significantly reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions especially in Nigeria. Despite the increasing awareness of EC among educated young women in Nigeria, the rate of utilization remains low. This study therefore explores the health implication of contraceptive among female secondary school. The use of EC to analyze their knowledge of emergency contraception, methods ever used, perceived efficacy, and its acceptability.
Participants considered the use of condom and abstinence as the most effective methods of preventing unplanned pregnancy. However, many participants were misinformed about emergency contraception. Generally, participants relied on unconventional and unproven EC; Ampiclox, “Alabukun”, salt water solution, and lime and potash and perceived them to be effective in preventing unplanned pregnancies. Furthermore, respondents’ narratives about methods of preventing unwanted pregnancies revealed that inadequate information on emergency contraception, reliance on unproven crude contraceptive methods, and misconception about modern contraception constitute barriers to the use of emergency contraception.
Emergency contraception is the use of a drug or device to prevent pregnancy. It could be used after an unprotected sexual intercourse, contraceptive failure, and coerced unprotected sex or in cases of sexual assault. Studies have shown that the rate of unplanned pregnancy is very high worldwide and unwanted pregnancy is the main reason women seek abortion. Emergency contraception could be very crucial in preventing unplanned pregnancies in settings where abortion is illegal, however, following the evidence presented in the literature, emergency contraception has not been demonstrated to have a population level impact with regards to the reduction in the rate of unplanned pregnancies.
Globally, many unplanned pregnancies end up being aborted in safe and unsafe conditions. In Nigeria, over half of unplanned pregnancies are aborted in unsafe conditions leading to deaths and serious complications. Abortion-related mortality accounts for an estimated 8 % of global maternal deaths. Distressingly, half of the abortion-related mortality occurs among young women especially in secondary school in Nigeria. This clearly suggests that secondary school girls as a demographic segment have a special need for emergency contraception.
The health implication of contraceptive must be studied to know whether it have negative or positive effect among secondary school girls; when taken in the middle of the menstrual cycle, the preparation may inhibit ovulation. The pill can cause changes in the menstrual cycle in the lady. Your next period could start earlier or later than expected and flow can be lighter or heavier than normal. It can cause nauseating feeling which occurs in approximately 25% of users vomiting. It can also bring about bleeding disturbances in some cases, 2-3 days following tablet ingestion .Sometimes it can cause breast tenderness, headache, dizziness, fatigue.
In the majority of cases the next period starts as expected or somewhat earlier, if the period is more than 7 days late it is recommended to perform a pregnancy test. In case of prolonged or heavy bleeding, gynecological examinations are advised. If the user has a reported case of asthma, heart failure, hypertension, migraine, epilepsy, renal impairment, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, depression, and / or stroke, the preparation may be used exclusively in the above mentioned emergency cases. It is not appropriate for regular use. Contraceptive is actually a very harsh drugs on young girls, most of the secondary school girls may not follow the directives and it can cause damage to their health.
1.2 Statement Of The Problem
Contraceptives are not intended as a regular method of contraception. It is used to prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. It is estimated that contraceptive like postinor-2 will prevent 85% of expected pregnancies. 95% of expected pregnancies will be prevented if taken within the first 24 hours, declining to 58% if taken between 48 hours and 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. It is in view of this that the researcher intends to investigate the health implication of such contraceptives among secondary school student.
1.3 Aim and Objective Of The Study
The aim of the study is to assess the health implication of contraceptive patronage and risk involvement among female secondary school student. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were set out as follows;
- To assess the effect of contraceptive among female secondary school student
- To ascertain the relationship between contraceptive and female secondary school student
- To assess the rate of pregnancy among female secondary school student
- To ascertain the rate of female secondary school student involvement patronizing contraceptive.
1.4 Research Questions
The following are the research questions of the research work;
- What are the effects of contraceptive and risk involvement on female secondary school student?
- What are the relationship between contraceptive patronage and awareness level among female secondary school student?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;
Hypothesis One
H0: There is no effect of contraceptive and risk involvement on female secondary school student
H1: There is effect of contraceptive and risk involvement on female secondary school student
Hypothesis Two
H0: There is no significant relationship between contraceptive patronage and awareness level among female secondary school student
H1: There is significant relationship between contraceptive patronage and awareness level among female secondary school student
1.6 Significance Of The Study
It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will be of benefit to the federal ministry of education, ministry of health, secondary schools, teachers, female secondary school student and all Nigerians. The study will also be of great benefit to the researchers who intends to embark on research on similar topics as it will serve as a guide.
1.7 Scope Of Study
The scope of this study covers the effects of contraceptive patronage and risk involvement among female secondary school student.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
1.9 Definition Of Terms
Patronage: Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings, popes, and the wealthy have provided to artists such as musicians, painters, and sculptors.
Implication: The conclusion that can be drawn from something although it is not explicitly stated.
Health: Health is the level of functional and metabolic efficiency of a living organism. In humans it is the ability of individuals or communities to adapt and self-manage.
Contraceptive: Hormonal and Barrier Contraception. There are about 15 different types of contraceptives which allow you to enjoy sex without the risk of getting pregnant. These birth control methods include: condoms, the diaphragm, the contraceptive pill, implants, IUDs (intrauterine devices), sterilization and the morning after pill.
Female: Of or denoting the sex that can bear offspring or produce eggs, distinguished biologically by the production of gametes (ova) which can be fertilized by male gametes.
Secondary School: Secondary school is the next step up from primary school. Secondary schools are often called high schools in the United States. In Britain, secondary schools may be public schools, grammar schools or comprehensive schools.
